Mining industry mourns Sundance executives

Katherine Fenech

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Perth to commemorate the lives of four Sundance Resources Mining executives who died in a plane crash in West Africa last month.

The Perth-based board members, chairman Geoff Wedlock, managing director Don Lewis and non-executive directors John Jones and Craig Oliver, were among 11 people who died when a twin-engine CASA 212 plane crashed in the Republic of Congo on June 19.

Four miner's helmets adorn the stage during the memorial for the Sundance plane crash victims.

"As always the Jones household has been a busy and inviting place but also a calming place and around the table family and friend have been gathering to hear stories, to laugh and to cry," Mr Laslett said.

Apart from being a dedicated fly-fisherman, Mr Jones was a passionate supporter of the Essendon Football Club. He spent a significant part of his career working on projects in remote areas.

Western Areas managing director Julian Hanna said Mr Oliver "packed so much into a very busy life" and was always ready to defend Western Australia in any argument. He was also described as a "competitive" fisherman, a "great and generous guy" and "enthusiastic" about the resources industry.

"We really knew that above all he was a devoted husband and a wonderful father to his three daughters," Mr Hanna said.

Sundance Resources chairman George Jones is currently in Brazzaville and will escort the bodies of the executives back to Australia, but said in a video message his friends were loyal, courageous and honourable.

"All of these men lived by these characteristics and they are a credit to themselves, to their families, to the companies they so loyally served and the community," Mr Jones said.

Sundance company secretary John Carr-Greg was yesterday remembered as a gentleman and family man at a service in Sydney.

Bodies to return home

A Sundance spokesman said on Tuesday that Mr Jones would escort the bodies of the executives back to Australia, expected to take place between July 10 and 13.

The ceremony, organised by the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, came as an Australian Federal Police specialist team yesterday finished formally identifying the six Australians and one permanent resident killed in the crash.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said it expected the remains of the six board members to be released this week and flown back to their home states.

A DFAT spokesperson said the Republic of the Congo would hold a ceremony this week to honour the crash victims.

"We note that there is still some preparatory work that needs to be undertaken before the remains can be released from the Republic of the Congo," the DFAT spokesperson said.

"We remain in regular contact with Sundance and continue to provide consular support to the company and the families of the Australian passengers, including the family of the Australian permanent resident."